This may be a question for the moderators, because I didn't do anything specific to make it happen. I think it MAY be because Shirley opted to "follow" me on the RWAOL forum site (here), which I'm guessing means she gets anything I post emailed directly to her? But if you don't follow me, you can view the posts on the class forum, but not have them emailed?

If you try following me, and that doesn't do the trick, I would suggest posting the question in the "Instructions for using the forum" thread of the class.

RWA Online, Chapter #136 of Romance Writers of America is now accepting online workshop proposals for 2021. We are looking for experienced workshop presenters who have a passion for teaching the craft, the business of writing, a writer’s life, or publishing. You do not need to be a member of RWA to teach the workshop.
Workshops may be 2-4 weeks in length and we are actively seeking presenters who can create interactive, student-centered learning opportunities that may include homework and feedback, question and answer sessions, and a stimulating discussion environment.
RWAOL offers at least six online workshop sessions each year on various topics of interest to both the published and unpublished writer. Our workshops are held via a discussion board (forum) format on our website (www.rwaonlinechapter.org/Boards). (IMPORTANT: We do not hold any workshops via email loops, such as Yahoo Groups.)
RWAOL provides all workshops free of charge to its members and charges $15 for non-chapter members. We offer workshop presenters a flat-rate fee of $185 for two weeks, $215 for three weeks and $250 for four weeks for their services.
We expect our presenters to be professional, prepared, available, and computer-savvy enough to present using a forums/discussion board format. Since some of our presenters have not used a forum format, we have a private forum for the presenter to test things and get help from us before the workshop starts or during the workshop. Our forum format also facilitates discussion, enables our presenters to include pictures/photographs and videos as well as links to articles on the internet in the text of their lessons. Our format allows presenters and students to access our forum 24/7.
All workshop proposals should include a title, a blurb about the course, course syllabus, and a brief resume/bio of the instructor. Please include how many times the workshop was/are being taught in 2020 and when and where you are planning to teach it in 2021. RWAOL requests an exclusivity clause so that any negotiated workshop is not presented via another venue within 2 months of RWAOL's scheduled date.
Note: If 2021 does not work and you are interested in teaching a class in 2022, let me know.
Our members have expressed interest in workshops on editing, fast paced writing, and self-publishing, the business of writing as a career, plus any other targeted writing areas that would help them pursue their craft in romance, as long as it can be taught in a two to four-week period. The usual way classes are taught is to post lessons three days a week over the course period and to allow for time for questions to be asked and answered.
We are looking for most any type of workshop that relates to romance writing. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. This is a great opportunity to earn some money and give back to fellow writers in teaching them the craft.
Please send your workshop proposals (or your questions) to Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
Thank you.
Patti Fischer
Workshop Coordinator
RWA Online Chapter
http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/

DRESS YOUR TECH FOR SUCCESS: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TIPS FOR AUTHORS (Who Aren’t Bestsellers...Yet, But Want to Act Like They Are)
Presenter: Kerry Blaisdell
Dates: June 1-26
Class Length: Four weeks
Cost: $15 (free for RWA® Online Chapter members)
Registration opens: May 18, 2020
Link to registration: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Blurb:
If you already took Kerry's beginner class (Fake It 'Til You Make It: How To Act Like A Best-Selling Author, Even If You Aren't One...Yet), or if you have some marketing and technology experience, this Advanced class is for you. She'll go deeper into website design and development, including adding services and features to make your author brand more professional. She will talk mailing lists, how to host your own giveaways, and go into more advanced ad creation, including discussions of which platforms work better in which situations (BookBub, Facebook, etc.). Also discussed will be advanced tech such as link shortening/tracking, and social media schedulers (such as Hootsuite).
Presenter Bio:
Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One)— 2019 HOLT Medallion double winner for Best Paranormal & Best First Book, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, InD’tale Magazine RONE Award finalist, and Royal Palm Literary Award finalist—and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). She also writes Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, available for preorder now) and Historical Mystery (A LAMENTATION OF SWANS, coming soon). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (French & Medieval English) from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from the University of Portland.
For over 20 years she worked in Corporate Communications and Marketing Technology, as a graphic designer, web developer, database programmer, and content writer, as well as developing and teaching technology courses for adults. After earning her MAT with Honors, she switched careers to become a full-time educator, and currently teaches high school math to middle school students. She lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two (mostly) adult “kids,” assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.
For more information, or to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on social media, visit her online at http://kerryblaisdell.com.
Deadline to register is June 1, 2020
FMI: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Or email Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
You do not need to be an RWA® member to take the class.
Note: RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website. However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend.

** Permission to Forward Granted and Appreciated **
PRISM closes in 1 day, it’s not too late to enter!
If you tried to enter before and your ebook PDF upload failed… Its been fixed.
The PRISM contest closes March 22, 2020!
Get your vampires, shifters, ghosts, witches, fae, angels, demons, mythical creatures, aliens, and space travelers novels/novellas entered. The contest is open to published books in traditional and self published as long as it meet the requirements listed below.
· An Original Publication Date of 2019 for both electronic and print formats.
· Entries need not be published in the romance genre; however, entries must contain a Central Love Story, where the main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work, and an Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending.
· Fantasy, Futuristic, or Paranormal elements must be present and essential to the plot.
The cutoff date for registration is March 22nd, 2020. All fees and submissions must be received by this date.
You are NOT required to be a member of RWA or FF&P to enter the contest.
Entry Fees
FF&P Members in good standing: $30.00 each Novel/Novella entered
All Others: $40.00 each Novel/Novella entered
Prizes
· The top three (3) finalists for each category will receive a commemorative FF&P Prism Pin and Certificate.
· Second and Third Place Winners will receive a commemorative FF&P Prism Pin and Certificate.
· First Place Winners will receive the FF&P exclusive Prism Statue, a commemorative FF&P Prism Winner Pin, and Certificate.
· Best of the Best and Best First Book Winners will receive the FF&P exclusive Prism Statue, a commemorative Best First Book and Best of the Best FF&P Prism Pin, and a Certificate.
How the Prism Works
· Authors will submit three (3) print copies of each print Novel/Novella entered OR one (1) electronic copy in PDF format.
· Three (3) judges will be assigned per entry. The average of all three scores will be used for final judging.
· Finalists will be announced the week of June 10th via the FF&P website and other media outlets.
· Winners will be announced during The Prism Awards Ceremony held at RWA Nationals in San Francisco in late July and early August. Final scores will be sent to all entrants following the conference.
Novels can be entered in the following categories:
With the exception of Erotic, all categories may have varying levels of sensuality.
DARK PARANORMAL: These stories include paranormal happenings as a major element of the plot and contain ominous overtones.
LIGHT PARANORMAL: These stories include paranormal happenings as a major element of the plot and are lighter in tone.
SCI FI & FUTURISTIC: These stories may be set in an alternate reality or in the future, and include elements such as technological advancements, space travel, and aliens. NOTE: Time Travel by scientific means (e.g., a time machine or wormhole) falls in this category.
FANTASY: These stories may be, but are not limited to, settings in the past, and include mythical creatures and magical elements. NOTE: Time Travel by magical means (e.g., an imbued object or supernatural portal) falls in this category.
URBAN FANTASY: These stories take place in contemporary urban settings and include mythical creatures and magical elements.
STEAMPUNK: These stories typically feature Victorian era or American Old West style and sensibilities, advanced steam-powered machinery, and alternate histories. They may take place in a historical, contemporary, futuristic, or otherworldly setting.
EROTIC: These are paranormal stories in which explicit sensuality is inherent to the work. They may take place in a historical, contemporary, futuristic, or otherworldly setting.
HISTORICAL: These are paranormal stories that take place in the past, from ancient times to World War II.
YOUNG ADULT: These are paranormal stories that are appropriate for teen readers, featuring main characters in high school or of equivalent ages (14-18). They may take place in a historical, contemporary, futuristic, or otherworldly setting.
NEW ADULT: These are paranormal stories that feature main characters in college or of equivalent ages (18-24). They may take place in a historical, contemporary, futuristic, or otherworldly setting.
Novellas are entered as their own category.
NOVELLAS: These stories may encompass any of the categories listed above, but word count must fall between 20,000 and 40,000 words.
Click HERE to register and for a complete list of contest rules.
The best of luck to all entrants!
Carolyn J Wright
2020 Prism Contest Chair
PrismContest2020@gmail.com

PRISM 2020 Contest only has 7 days left to enter……
The 2020 PRISM Awards Contest wants your vampires, shifters, ghosts, witches, fae, angels, demons, mythical creatures, aliens, and space travelers!
Authors with paranormal romance books with an original publication date in 2019, submit your entries before March 22, 2020.
To enter: https://ffprwa.com/contests/enter-the-prism/
Contest categories include Dark Paranormal, Light Paranormal, Sci Fi / Futuristic, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Erotic, Historical, Young Adult, New Adult, and Novella.
You DO NOT have to be a member of Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal online chapter of RWA to enter or judge.

FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT: BEGINNER TECHNOLOGY TIPS FOR AUTHORS
(or, Using Technology to Act Like a Bestselling Author, Even If You Aren’t One...Yet)
Presenter: Kerry Blaisdell
Dates: April 6-May 1
Class Length: Four Weeks
Cost: $15 (free for RWA® Online Chapter members)
Registration opens: March 23, 2020
Link to registration: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
About the class
INTRODUCTION
Google got you down? Email signatures a mystery? Just want to know what's eye-catching vs. distracting on Instagram or Twitter? This course is for you! Award-winning author Kerry Blaisdell will teach you how to use technology effectively, to advance your writing career to the next level.
From the basics of email and how to create effective social media posts, including the right balance between images and text, to effectively structuring your website, Facebook page, etc., this course is perfect for techno-phobes or fledgling authors, who want to know the best way to promote themselves.
Even if you plan to hire a web designer or promotion service, your online presence is still all you, and should be consistent and professional across all platforms. Learn what works and what you can ignore, to save time and money, while making your author brand the best it can possibly be, right from the start!
COURSE FORMAT
This course will be delivered online, three lessons per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for a total of four weeks (12 lessons). On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekends, homework will be assigned, to practice the lessons learned on the previous class day. Homework is optional, but I encourage all students to participate, and share your efforts with me, so I can give you feedback. The more you engage, the more I can help you!
SYLLABUS
Note: The outline below is a general guide to the course. Depending on the interests of each class group, some topics may be condensed, expanded, or removed entirely. However, this is intended to be a beginner course specifically, so if a student feels they already understand the below information, they may want to consider enrolling in my advanced class instead.
Topics covered in this course include:
Email Basics and Netiquette (1 lesson)
Online Communities (1 lesson)
Graphic Design for Beginning Beginners (2 lessons)
Web Design for Beginners - Even If You’re Hiring a Designer (2 lessons)
Facebook Basics (1 lesson)
Twitter Basics (1 lesson)
Instagram Basics (1 lesson)
Pinterest Basics (1 lesson)
Gaining Followers (1 lesson)
Ask Me Anything (1 lesson)
Presenter Bio:
Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One)— 2019 HOLT Medallion double winner for Best Paranormal & Best First Book, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, InD’tale Magazine RONE Award finalist, and Royal Palm Literary Award finalist—and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). She also writes Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, available for preorder now) and Historical Mystery (A LAMENTATION OF SWANS, coming soon). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (French & Medieval English) from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from the University of Portland.
For over 20 years she worked in Corporate Communications and Marketing Technology, as a graphic designer, web developer, database programmer, and content writer, as well as developing and teaching technology courses for adults. After earning her MAT with Honors, she switched careers to become a full-time educator, and currently teaches high school math to middle school students. She lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two (mostly) adult “kids,” assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.
For more information, or to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on social media, visit her online at http://kerryblaisdell.com.
Deadline to register is April 6, 2020
FMI: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Or email Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
You do not need to be an RWA® member to take the class.
Note: RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website. However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend.

Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
Even though these writing processes seem wildly different, would you believe that Plotters and Pantsers often experience similar struggles and make similar mistakes when creating a story? An inefficient writing process that bogs you down in the face of a schedule. Story arcs that fall apart during the latter stages of the manuscript. Story premises that fail to keep the reader engaged. Scenes that seem clunky or out of the flow.
Regardless of your preferred style, the cavalry is coming! Larry Brooks—author of writing craft gems Great Stories Don’t Write Themselves, Story Fix, and Story Engineering—presents a full day workshop to examine the criteria that drive the arc of a story and the writing process itself. At the workshop, Larry will examine:
· How to vet the writing conversation and recognize what works for you.
· How to make your writing process—any writing process—more efficient.
· The rarely plumbed depths of the story conception stage, where story ideas must become viable, fully-wired premises.
· The essential nature of scenes, and the criteria that make them work.
· The truth about story structure, which is more an issue of flow and context than simply advancing plot.
Who this session is for:
· Beginning novelists looking to advance their story intuition
· Professional novelists who’ve hit a wall or need a reboot
· Novelists in any genre seeking to up their game
· Writers seeking to better understand “the sum of the parts” of story
Whether a Plotter, Pantser, or “I have no clue”, join Larry in Austin on February 29 for a session in enhancing your writing by retooling your thought process. Seats are limited, so sign up soon!
Register Here: https://austinrwa.org/arwa-presents-larry-brooks/
Cost: $125 per person and includes a salad buffet lunch
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Norris Conference Center, 2525 W. Anderson Lane #365, Austin, TX 78757

AUSTEN TO ALIENS: CREATING THE CLASSIC TOUGH CHICK
Presenter: Jacqui Jacoby
Dates: February 3-28
Class Length: Four weeks
Cost: $15 (free for RWA® Online Chapter members)
Registration opens January 20, 2020
Link to registration: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Blurb:
As martial artist, I am interested in self-defense and how women are portrayed in the media. At first, it seemed as if it was only Hollywood showing women in a tough light. With heroines such as Sarah Conner of the Terminator movies, and Ellen Ripely in the Alien films, women were the ones saving the day when men were being blown up or eaten.
While attending the National Conference, I was able to meet with people in the industry who share my view that heroines in today’s market can be tough. People such as Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor: Vicki Hinze, author of books featuring tough chick heroines; and Suzanne Brockmann, best selling author of tough characters.
This workshop would cover such topics as how to portray tough chick heroines. Not just illustrating self-defense techniques, but how to build a tough chick heroine from the inside out. What kind of women make up the tough chicks and what are they like in their everyday lives? What drives them to become tough? What kind of hero must stand beside her and what kind of villains will she face?
According to editor Julie Barrett, tough chick heroines are not going anywhere. They are here to stay and it’s up to today’s romance writers to portray them in an accurate light.
Note: Austen to Aliens is a four week course with two lectures per week, and three days for Q&A
Presenter Bio:
Jacqui Jacoby: As a women capable of taking down a 220 pound man in self-defense simulations, I have the background to understand tough chicks. As the writer of non-fiction articles for various RWA Chapter newsletters including The Kiss of Death, The Orange Blossom and The Heartbeat of Denver, I have the experience to research and present this workshop.
First Place Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award in Excellence, as well as the Suzannah and the Dixie for her books, she is a RWA Golden Heart Finalst. She is a workshop teacher who has appeared both live and online to give such classes as “From Austin to Aliens: How to Create Classic Tough Chicks” and “Lessons of Firefly.” Her novels, Dead Men Play the Game, Bystander and Aaden’s Hope continue to generate fan mail.
If there is one thing I do know, it’s how to be a tough chick.
Deadline to register is February 3, 2020
FMI: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Or email Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
You do not need to be an RWA® member to take the class.
Note: RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website. However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend.

Characters who readers tell their friends about. Characters who stay with you long after you’ve put the book down. Every writer wants their characters to resonate with their readers, but too often the gulf between your character sheet and what gets on the final page is too wide.

If you’ve gotten feedback that all of your characters sound the same, or that your characters aren’t distinct, there is hope. In this workshop, we will cover how to layer in distinct details in your characters’ personalities and depicting those details in character voice and action. Exercises will be provided for crafting the perfect voice for your characters, so that you can hear them in your mind as you write them onto the page in dialogue and point of view, allowing your readers to hear them, as well.

Midnight Voss is a long-time teacher of writing and literature from argumentation to poetry to narrative. Throughout the year, she teaches online workshops for writers who want to hone their craft and deepen their worlds. She writes urban fantasy and dystopian fiction, as well as primarily f/f and m/m romance. When not immersed in her stories or the stories of others, Midnight likes to spend time with her cats and her girlfriend, reading and watching horror stories, and deconstructing problems in media. Visit her blog to read critiques or employ her services.

Video is king. If you didn't know that, the thought of "going live" probably makes you cringe. There are other ways, however, besides going live that can still generate results, help you get your stories in front of new eyes and win readers who've never heard of you. If you could do this on your own without some major, high priced production company, wouldn't you want to try? In its simplest form, a book trailer for your story is nothing more than a descriptive sequence of words, awesome pictures and amazing music strung together in a logical but entertaining sequence that's not more than 60 or 90 seconds long. YOU can do this.

In this book trailer course, you will learn how to use three of the most popular video production tools including Youtube Studio Creator, Animoto and Ripl. All of these have free versions which will appeal to anyone, especially new users who are just starting out. You will also cover where to find free or low costs graphics, word choice, finding a story element for the trailer and narrowing your focus as well as where to get awesome music loops and tracks for FREE! You will also get a cheat sheet, story board and resource guide in the course.

Once you learn how you can build your own book trailer, you'll wonder why you were so fretful. What author doesn't need more outlets to promote their books?

Tracee Lydia Garner is a best-selling and award-winning author. She is a dynamic speaker and engaging presenter with a wealth of knowledge and resources. She writes fiction and nonfiction hoping to uplift, inspire as well as educate readers through her tales of hope, love and overcoming adversity. A northern Virginia native, Tracee makes her home in a suburb just outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and loves writing, reading and teaching all about marketing and publishing. As a person with a disability, Tracee has been an advocate for over twenty years and maintains a day job currently as a case manager in DC at a small nonprofit organization. Tracee Lydia Garner has done workshops for the RWA National conference on disability topics, diversity, as well for her local DC chapter of RWA where she is involved and has been the editor/agent coordinator at their annual retreat for three years. Tracee also taught How to Write the Novel, Romance Novel Writing and the Self-Publishing Boot Camp within her alma mater's workforce development section of the college’s offerings for almost 14 years

What would you do with an extra hour in your day? What about two? What about an extra ten minutes?

We all struggle with getting everything we want to do done. We take on more than we can actually handle and regret it. Everything ends up suffering, especially us.

We always wish for more time.

This workshop will teach you how to manage your time so that you can find those extra minutes or hours in your day without having to give up other things to get them (like sleep). We’ll talk about using your time well, taking advantage of small moments, and focusing on what really matters so when you have time, you spend it where you want to.

Mary E Thompson has never been able to freeze time, pull all nighters, or lock herself in her room for hours at a time (her kids always find her). But she has managed to publish over 40 novels, serve on a chapter board for more than two years, and chair a popular RWA chapter contest. And that’s while raising her two elementary school aged children, managing the household for a family of four, and making sure her husband doesn’t miss that doctor’s appointment he forgot to put on his calendar. After being asked too many times how she does it all, she decided to share her not-so-secret secrets with you.

If you already took Kerry's beginner class (Fake It 'Til You Make It: How To Act Like A Best-Selling Author, Even If You Aren't One...Yet), or if you have some marketing and technology experience, this Advanced class is for you. She'll go deeper into website design and development, including adding services and features to make your author brand more professional. She will talk mailing lists, how to host your own giveaways, and go into more advanced ad creation, including discussions of which platforms work better in which situations (BookBub, Facebook, etc.). Also discussed will be advanced tech such as link shortening/tracking, and social media schedulers (such as Hootsuite).

Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One)— 2019 HOLT Medallion double winner for Best Paranormal & Best First Book, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, InD’tale Magazine RONE Award finalist, and Royal Palm Literary Award finalist—and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). She also writes Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, available for preorder now) and Historical Mystery (A LAMENTATION OF SWANS, coming soon). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (French & Medieval English) from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from the University of Portland.

For over 20 years she worked in Corporate Communications and Marketing Technology, as a graphic designer, web developer, database programmer, and content writer, as well as developing and teaching technology courses for adults. After earning her MAT with Honors, she switched careers to become a full-time educator, and currently teaches high school math to middle school students. She lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two (mostly) adult “kids,” assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.

Google got you down? Email signatures a mystery? Just want to know what's eye-catching vs. distracting on Instagram or Twitter? This course is for you! Award-winning author Kerry Blaisdell will teach you how to use technology effectively, to advance your writing career to the next level.

From the basics of email and how to create effective social media posts, including the right balance between images and text, to effectively structuring your website, Facebook page, etc., this course is perfect for techno-phobes or fledgling authors, who want to know the best way to promote themselves.

Even if you plan to hire a web designer or promotion service, your online presence is still all you, and should be consistent and professional across all platforms. Learn what works and what you can ignore, to save time and money, while making your author brand the best it can possibly be, right from the start!

Syllabus:

Email basics and netiquette

Online communities

Graphic design for beginning beginners

Web design for beginners - even if you're hiring a designer

Facebook basics

Twitter basics

Instagram basics

Pinterest basics

Gaining followers

Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One)— 2019 HOLT Medallion double winner for Best Paranormal & Best First Book, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, InD’tale Magazine RONE Award finalist, and Royal Palm Literary Award finalist—and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). She also writes Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, available for preorder now) and Historical Mystery (A LAMENTATION OF SWANS, coming soon). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (French & Medieval English) from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from the University of Portland.

For over 20 years she worked in Corporate Communications and Marketing Technology, as a graphic designer, web developer, database programmer, and content writer, as well as developing and teaching technology courses for adults. After earning her MAT with Honors, she switched careers to become a full-time educator, and currently teaches high school math to middle school students. She lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two (mostly) adult “kids,” assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.

As martial artist, Jacqui is interested in self-defense and how women are portrayed in the media. At first, it seemed as if it was only Hollywood showing women in a tough light. With heroines such as Sarah Conner of the Terminator movies, and Ellen Ripely in the Alien films, women were the ones saving the day when men were being blown up or eaten.

While attending the National Conference, Jacqui met with people in the industry who shared her view that heroines in today’s market can be tough. People such as Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor, author Vicki Hinze, whose books feature tough chick heroines, and Suzanne Brockmann, best selling author of tough characters.

This workshop would cover such topics as how to portray tough chick heroines. Not just illustrating self-defense techniques, but how to build a tough chick heroine from the inside out. What kind of women make up the tough chicks and what are they like in their everyday lives? What drives them to become tough? What kind of hero must stand beside her and what kind of villains will she face?

According to editor Julie Barrett, tough chick heroines are not going anywhere. They are here to stay and it’s up to today’s romance writers to portray them in an accurate light.

Note: Austen to Aliens is a four week course with two lectures per week, and three days for Q&A.

Jacqui Jacoby: "As a woman capable of taking down a 220 pound man in self-defense simulations, I have the background to understand tough chicks. As the writer of non-fiction articles for various RWA Chapter newsletters including The Kiss of Death, The Orange Blossom and The Heartbeat of Denver, I have the experience to research and present this workshop. If there is one thing I do know, it’s how to be a tough chick."

Jacqui Jacoby is a First Place Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award in Excellence, as well as the Suzannah and the Dixie for her books and she is a RWA Golden Heart Finalist. She is a workshop teacher who has appeared both live and online to give such classes as “From Austin to Aliens: How to Create Classic Tough Chicks” and “Lessons of Firefly.” Her novels, Dead Men Play the Game, Bystander and Aaden’s Hope continue to generate fan mail.

Good self-care is the new multi-vitamin! Writers should definitely take a multi-vitamin, and Writer Wellness is a complimentary plan to help you stay on target for writing and life. WW is a lifestyle technique for anyone who loves to create with activities to stimulate creativity and health by encouraging regular journal writing, exercise, relaxation, sound nutrition, and creative play. Regardless of style, genre, or writing goals, Writer Wellness is the perfect writer's companion.

The workshop will offer three activities per key area (journaling, exercise, relaxation, nutrition, and creative play) for participant's to try then respond to discussion prompts posted in the course. This interactive workshop will present ideas any writer can put into practice, tweak, and maintain throughout a writing career with the goal of better health and expanded creativity for many years. Discover the Writer Wellness Warrior in you and be well, write well!

JOY E. HELD, A.A.S., B.A., M.F.A. is an author, freelance editor, Yoga Alliance Registered yoga and meditation teacher, college English professor, certified Journal to the Self educator, and workshop presenter with over 500 articles published in trade magazines, newspapers, and literary journals. Her historical romance novel Message to Love was published in 2010 by The Wild Rose Press. She has degrees in education, journalism, and writing popular fiction.

Note: All classes are FREE for RWA Online Chapter members. If you are a RWA (Romance Writers of America) member, then you can also join our online chapter. The cost to join our chapter is $25 and is renewed yearly at the same rate.
To join RWA Online chapter, go to our main page: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
WRITER WELLNESS: A WRITER'S PATH TO HEALTH AND CREATIVITY with presenter Joy Held
Class begins: January 6, 2020
Class Length: Four weeks
Blurb:
Good self-care is the new multi-vitamin! Writers should definitely take a multi-vitamin, and Writer Wellness is a complimentary plan to help you stay on target for writing and life. WW is a lifestyle technique for anyone who loves to create with activities to stimulate creativity and health by encouraging regular journal writing, exercise, relaxation, sound nutrition, and creative play. Regardless of style, genre, or writing goals, Writer Wellness is the perfect writer's companion.
The workshop will offer three activities per key area (journaling, exercise, relaxation, nutrition, and creative play) for participant's to try then respond to discussion prompts posted in the course. This interactive workshop will present ideas any writer can put into practice, tweak, and maintain throughout a writing career with the goal of better health and expanded creativity for many years. Discover the Writer Wellness Warrior in you and be well, write well!
Presenter Bio:
JOY E. HELD, A.A.S., B.A., M.F.A. is an author, freelance editor, Yoga Alliance Registered yoga and meditation teacher, college English professor, certified Journal to the Self educator, and workshop presenter with over 500 articles published in trade magazines, newspapers, and literary journals. Her historical romance novel Message to Love was published in 2010 by The Wild Rose Press. She has degrees in education, journalism, and writing popular fiction. www.joyeheld.com
AUSTEN TO ALIENS: CREATING THE CLASSIC TOUGH CHICK with presenter Jacqui Jacoby
Dates: February 3-28
Class Length: Four weeks
Blurb:
As martial artist, I am interested in self-defense and how women are portrayed in the media. At first, it seemed as if it was only Hollywood showing women in a tough light. With heroines such as Sarah Conner of the Terminator movies, and Ellen Ripely in the Alien films, women were the ones saving the day when men were being blown up or eaten.
While attending the National Conference, I was able to meet with people in the industry who share my view that heroines in today’s market can be tough. People such as Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor: Vicki Hinze, author of books featuring tough chick heroines; and Suzanne Brockmann, best selling author of tough characters.
This workshop would cover such topics as how to portray tough chick heroines. Not just illustrating self-defense techniques, but how to build a tough chick heroine from the inside out. What kind of women make up the tough chicks and what are they like in their everyday lives? What drives them to become tough? What kind of hero must stand beside her and what kind of villains will she face?
According to editor Julie Barrett, tough chick heroines are not going anywhere. They are here to stay and it’s up to today’s romance writers to portray them in an accurate light.
Note: Austen to Aliens is a four week course with two lectures per week, and three days for Q&A
Presenter Bio:
Jacqui Jacoby: As a women capable of taking down a 220 pound man in self-defense simulations, I have the background to understand tough chicks. As the writer of non-fiction articles for various RWA Chapter newsletters including The Kiss of Death, The Orange Blossom and The Heartbeat of Denver, I have the experience to research and present this workshop.
First Place Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award in Excellence, as well as the Suzannah and the Dixie for her books, she is a RWA Golden Heart Finalst. She is a workshop teacher who has appeared both live and online to give such classes as “From Austin to Aliens: How to Create Classic Tough Chicks” and “Lessons of Firefly.” Her novels, Dead Men Play the Game, Bystander and Aaden’s Hope continue to generate fan mail.
If there is one thing I do know, it’s how to be a tough chick.
FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT: BEGINNER TECHNOLOGY TIPS FOR AUTHORS
(or, Using Technology to Act Like a Bestselling Author, Even If You Aren’t One...Yet) with presenter Kerry Blaisdell
Dates: April 6-May 1
Class Length: Four Weeks
About the class
INTRODUCTION
Google got you down? Email signatures a mystery? Just want to know what's eye-catching vs. distracting on Instagram or Twitter? This course is for you! Award-winning author Kerry Blaisdell will teach you how to use technology effectively, to advance your writing career to the next level.
From the basics of email and how to create effective social media posts, including the right balance between images and text, to effectively structuring your website, Facebook page, etc., this course is perfect for techno-phobes or fledgling authors, who want to know the best way to promote themselves.
Even if you plan to hire a web designer or promotion service, your online presence is still all you, and should be consistent and professional across all platforms. Learn what works and what you can ignore, to save time and money, while making your author brand the best it can possibly be, right from the start!
COURSE FORMAT
This course will be delivered online, three lessons per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for a total of four weeks (12 lessons). On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekends, homework will be assigned, to practice the lessons learned on the previous class day. Homework is optional, but I encourage all students to participate, and share your efforts with me, so I can give you feedback. The more you engage, the more I can help you!
SYLLABUS
Note: The outline below is a general guide to the course. Depending on the interests of each class group, some topics may be condensed, expanded, or removed entirely. However, this is intended to be a beginner course specifically, so if a student feels they already understand the below information, they may want to consider enrolling in my advanced class instead.
Topics covered in this course include:
Email Basics and Netiquette (1 lesson)
Online Communities (1 lesson)
Graphic Design for Beginning Beginners (2 lessons)
Web Design for Beginners - Even If You’re Hiring a Designer (2 lessons)
Facebook Basics (1 lesson)
Twitter Basics (1 lesson)
Instagram Basics (1 lesson)
Pinterest Basics (1 lesson)
Gaining Followers (1 lesson)
Ask Me Anything (1 lesson)
Presenter Bio:
Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One)— 2019 HOLT Medallion double winner for Best Paranormal & Best First Book, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, InD’tale Magazine RONE Award finalist, and Royal Palm Literary Award finalist—and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). She also writes Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, available for preorder now) and Historical Mystery (A LAMENTATION OF SWANS, coming soon). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (French & Medieval English) from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from the University of Portland.
For over 20 years she worked in Corporate Communications and Marketing Technology, as a graphic designer, web developer, database programmer, and content writer, as well as developing and teaching technology courses for adults. After earning her MAT with Honors, she switched careers to become a full-time educator, and currently teaches high school math to middle school students. She lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two (mostly) adult “kids,” assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.
For more information, or to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on social media, visit her online at http://kerryblaisdell.com.
DRESS YOUR TECH FOR SUCCESS: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TIPS FOR AUTHORS (Who Aren’t Bestsellers...Yet, But Want to Act Like They Are) with presenter Kerry Blaisdell
Dates: June 1-26
Class Length: Four weeks
Blurb:
If you already took Kerry's beginner class (Fake It 'Til You Make It: How To Act Like A Best-Selling Author, Even If You Aren't One...Yet), or if you have some marketing and technology experience, this Advanced class is for you. She'll go deeper into website design and development, including adding services and features to make your author brand more professional. She will talk mailing lists, how to host your own giveaways, and go into more advanced ad creation, including discussions of which platforms work better in which situations (BookBub, Facebook, etc.). Also discussed will be advanced tech such as link shortening/tracking, and social media schedulers (such as Hootsuite).
Presenter Bio:
Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One)— 2019 HOLT Medallion double winner for Best Paranormal & Best First Book, Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, InD’tale Magazine RONE Award finalist, and Royal Palm Literary Award finalist—and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). She also writes Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, available for preorder now) and Historical Mystery (A LAMENTATION OF SWANS, coming soon). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (French & Medieval English) from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from the University of Portland.
For over 20 years she worked in Corporate Communications and Marketing Technology, as a graphic designer, web developer, database programmer, and content writer, as well as developing and teaching technology courses for adults. After earning her MAT with Honors, she switched careers to become a full-time educator, and currently teaches high school math to middle school students. She lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two (mostly) adult “kids,” assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.
For more information, or to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on social media, visit her online at http://kerryblaisdell.com.
GET MORE DONE: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR AUTHORS with presenter Mary E. Thompson
Dates: August 3-14
Class Length: Two weeks
Blurb:
Workshop Course Description
What would you do with an extra hour in your day? What about two? What about an extra ten minutes?
We all struggle with getting everything we want to do done. We take on more than we can actually handle and regret it. Everything ends up suffering, especially us.
We always wish for more time.
This workshop will teach you how to manage your time so that you can find those extra minutes or hours in your day without having to give up other things to get them (like sleep). We’ll talk about using your time well, taking advantage of small moments, and focusing on what really matters so when you have time, you spend it where you want to.
Workshop Syllabus
Lesson 1 - What Really Matters?
Lesson 2 - Where Did the Time Go?
Lesson 3 - Get Sh*t Done
Lesson 4 - Your New Favorite Word
Lesson 5 - What To Do When Everything Changes
Presenter Bio:
Mary E Thompson has never been able to freeze time, pull all nighters, or lock herself in her room for hours at a time (her kids always find her). But she has managed to publish over 40 novels, serve on a chapter board for more than two years, and chair a popular RWA chapter contest. And that’s while raising her two elementary school aged children, managing the household for a family of four, and making sure her husband doesn’t miss that doctor’s appointment he forgot to put on his calendar. After being asked too many times how she does it all, she decided to share her not-so-secret secrets with you.
MAKE YOUR OWN BOOK TRAILER with presenter Tracee Garner
Dates: October 5-23
Class Length: Three weeks
Blurb:
Video is king. If you didn't know that, the thought of "going live" probably makes you cringe. There are other ways, however, besides going live that can still generate results, help you get your stories in front of new eyes and win readers who've never heard of you. If you could do this on your own without some major, high priced production company, wouldn't you want to try? In its simplest form, a book trailer for your story is nothing more than a descriptive sequence of words, awesome pictures and amazing music strung together in a logical but entertaining sequence that's not more than 60 or 90 seconds long. YOU can do this.
In my book trailer course, we will learn how to use three of the most popular video production tools including, Youtube Studio Creator, Animoto and Ripl. All of these have free versions which will appeal to anyone, especially new users who are just starting out. We will also cover, where to find free or low costs graphics, word choice, finding a story element for the trailer and narrowing your focus as well as where to get awesome music loops and tracks for FREE? You will also get a cheat sheet, story board and resource guide in the course. Once you learn it, you'll wonder why you were so fretful. What author doesn't need more outlets to promote their books?
Presenter Bio:
Tracee Lydia Garner is a best-selling and award-winning author. She is a dynamic speaker and engaging presenter with a wealth of knowledge and resources. She writes fiction and nonfiction hoping to uplift, inspire as well as educate readers through her tales of hope, love and overcoming adversity. A northern Virginia native, Tracee makes her home in a suburb just outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and loves writing, reading and teaching all about marketing and publishing. As a person with a disability, Tracee has been an advocate for over twenty years and maintains a day job currently as a case manager in DC at a small nonprofit organization. Tracee Lydia Garner has done workshops for the RWA National conference on disability topics, diversity, as well for her local DC chapter of RWA where she is involved and has been the editor/agent coordinator at their annual retreat for three years. Tracee also taught How to Write the Novel, Romance Novel Writing and the Self-Publishing Boot Camp within her alma mater's workforce development section of the college’s offerings for almost 14 years. Visit me at www.TraceeGarner.com
HEARING VOICES 101: CREATING DISTINCT CHARACTERS with presenter Midnight Voss
Dates: November 2-27
Class Length: Four weeks
Blurb:
Characters who readers tell their friends about. Characters who stay with you long after you’ve put the book down. Every writer wants their characters to resonate with their readers, but too often the gulf between your character sheet and what gets on the final page is too wide.
If you’ve gotten feedback that all of your characters sound the same, or that your characters aren’t distinct, there is hope. In this workshop, we will cover how to layer in distinct details in your characters’ personalities and depicting those details in character voice and action. Exercises will be provided for crafting the perfect voice for your characters, so that you can hear them in your mind as you write them onto the page in dialogue and point of view, allowing your readers to hear them, as well.
Presenter bio:
Midnight Voss is a long-time teacher of writing and literature from argumentation to poetry to narrative. Throughout the year, she teaches online workshops for writers who want to hone their craft and deepen their worlds. She writes urban fantasy and dystopian fiction, as well as primarily f/f and m/m romance.
When not immersed in her stories or the stories of others, Midnight likes to spend time with her cats and her girlfriend, reading and watching horror stories, and deconstructing problems in media. Visit her blog at https://midnightvosswriting.blogspot.com to read critiques or employ her services.
We hope to see you in 2020 at our workshops!

WRITER WELLNESS: A WRITER'S PATH TO HEALTH AND CREATIVITY
Presenter: Joy Held
Class begins: January 6, 2020
Class Length: Four weeks
Cost: $15 (free for RWA® Online Chapter members)
Registration opens December 23, 2019
Link to registration: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Blurb:
Good self-care is the new multi-vitamin! Writers should definitely take a multi-vitamin, and Writer Wellness is a complimentary plan to help you stay on target for writing and life. WW is a lifestyle technique for anyone who loves to create with activities to stimulate creativity and health by encouraging regular journal writing, exercise, relaxation, sound nutrition, and creative play. Regardless of style, genre, or writing goals, Writer Wellness is the perfect writer's companion.
The workshop will offer three activities per key area (journaling, exercise, relaxation, nutrition, and creative play) for participant's to try then respond to discussion prompts posted in the course. This interactive workshop will present ideas any writer can put into practice, tweak, and maintain throughout a writing career with the goal of better health and expanded creativity for many years. Discover the Writer Wellness Warrior in you and be well, write well!
Presenter Bio:
JOY E. HELD, A.A.S., B.A., M.F.A. is an author, freelance editor, Yoga Alliance Registered yoga and meditation teacher, college English professor, certified Journal to the Self educator, and workshop presenter with over 500 articles published in trade magazines, newspapers, and literary journals. Her historical romance novel Message to Love was published in 2010 by The Wild Rose Press. She has degrees in education, journalism, and writing popular fiction. www.joyeheld.com
Deadline to register is January 3, 2020
FMI: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Or email Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
You do not need to be an RWA® member to take the class.
Note: RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website. However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend.

PS...I want to mention that if you are reading this and aren't a member of RWA® Online but do belong to RWA, then you should know that for $25 a year, you can join our chapter and get all of our workshops for free.

Writing Short presented by Jacqui Jacoby
Class Begins: December 2, 2019
Class Length: Two weeks
Cost: $15 (free for RWA® Online Chapter members)
Registration opens November 18, 2019
Link to registration: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Blurb:
In this workshop we address not only the steps to creating a shorter
piece of fiction, but also ways in which it can be used to further your
promotional standing, as well as sold in the market. Both structure, creation
and promotion is provided.
Two days per week are lectures, with the rest being unlimited Q&A sessions.
Presenter Bio:
Award-winning author, Jacqui Jacoby lives and writes in the beauty of Northern Arizona. Currently adjusting to being an empty nester with her first grandchild to draw her pictures, Jacqui is a self-defense hobbyist. Having studied martial arts for numerous years she retired in 2006 from the sport, yet still brings strength she learned from the discipline to her heroines. She is a working writer, whose career includes writing books, teaching online and live workshops and penning short nonfiction. Follow her at www.jacquijaxjacoby.com
Deadline to register is December 2, 2019
FMI: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Or email Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
You do not need to be an RWA® member to take the class.
Note: RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website. However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend

Killer Openings presented by Alexa Bourne
Class Begins: September 30, 2019
Class Length: Four weeks
Cost: $15 (free for RWA® Online Chapter members)
Registration opens September 16, 2019
Link to registration: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Blurb:
Students will learn the importance of a good opening and gain a better understanding of what makes a “killer opening.” Students will study examples of good and bad openings and discuss why they do or don’t work. Students will also submit their own opening lines/paragraphs/pages and receive a critique.
Week 1:
Introduction- Class goals, “rules” for proper respectful participation, student
introductions, instructor disclaimer
Importance of openings, what makes a good opening
*Instructor presents examples (from different genres) of good openings & why
they work
Week 2:
*Students present examples of good openings & why they work
*Instructor presents examples (from different genres) of bad openings & why they
don’t work.
*Students present examples of bad openings & why they don’t work
Weeks 3:
*1st lines, then students present examples from own manuscripts, critique
*1st paragraphs- Students present examples from own manuscripts, critique
Week 4: *1st page- Students present examples from own manuscripts, critique
Discuss makings of a good 1st chapter
(Questions/Catch up- if needed)
Wrap Up-final thoughts, comments, questions
*While each of these lessons has the instructor critiquing the work (whether published examples or student work), I will invite students to comment when they want as long as they are respectful about it and their comments are constructive criticism.
Presenter Bio:
Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her love of books with readers everywhere.
When she's not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV and thinking about exercising. She loves to interact with readers, writers, students and colleagues. Learn more about her at www.alexabourne.com.
Deadline to register is September 30, 2019
FMI: http://rwaonlinechapter.org/
Or email Patti Fischer at fisc40pa@aol.com
You do not need to be an RWA® member to take the class.
Note: RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website. However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend

Help! I joined RWAOL on Aug 1 in order to take the Dialogue Class.
I have been trying to get into the class
It is August 5, the last day to register. I still cannot get into the class. It is 7:59pm Mountain time and 9:59 Eastern Time.
My heart is sinking. I’d love to be in this class.
Can you help
Una Medina Olmsted
uemedina@gmail.com